Clean Harbors stock update after recent performance

Clean Harbors (CLH) has recently drawn attention after a mixed stretch in its share performance, with the stock down slightly over the past week, month, and past 3 months, while longer term returns remain positive.

At a share price of $281.0, Clean Harbors has recently given back some ground, with short term share price returns weaker even as the 1-year total shareholder return of 24.46% and 5-year total shareholder return above 200% point to momentum that has built over time.

If you are comparing Clean Harbors with other industrial and infrastructure related opportunities, it can be useful to widen the lens and review 33 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks

With Clean Harbors trading at $281.0 alongside an estimated intrinsic discount of about 29% and a value score of 2, the key question is simple: is there still a buying opportunity here, or is the market already pricing in future growth?

Most Popular Narrative: 13.5% Undervalued

Clean Harbors' most followed narrative points to a fair value of $325 per share, which sits above the current $281 share price and frames the recent pullback in a very specific way.

The growing urgency and evolving regulatory landscape around PFAS and hazardous waste management is expected to create a multibillion-dollar opportunity, and Clean Harbors' unique position as the only company with end-to-end PFAS destruction capabilities positions it to capture significant long-term revenue and margin growth as new government and corporate standards take effect.

Curious what kind of revenue path, margin profile, and future earnings multiple are baked into that fair value estimate? The narrative leans heavily on specific growth assumptions, buyback activity, and a required P/E level that is well above the wider Commercial Services group. The numbers behind that story are what really matter for anyone weighing the current 13.5% discount to the $325 fair value.

Result: Fair Value of $325 (UNDERVALUED)

However, this story can break if zero waste and circular economy efforts start to cut hazardous waste volumes, or if new remediation technologies reduce demand for Clean Harbors' core disposal services.

Another View: What The P/E Ratio Is Saying

The DCF work suggests Clean Harbors is trading below fair value, but the current P/E of 37.5x tells a different story. It sits well above the US Commercial Services average of 21.4x and a fair ratio of 21.6x, which points to meaningful valuation risk if expectations reset.

For a closer look at how these earnings multiples compare with what the numbers imply the market could move toward, See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown.

Next Steps

With mixed signals on valuation, risks, and rewards, it makes sense to move quickly and review the full picture for yourself, including 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.